Today in World War II History—October 7, 1943

Memorial for the 98 US civilian contract POWs who were executed by the Japanese on 7 Oct 1943; an unidentified prisoner escaped and chiseled “98 US PW 5-10-43” on this rock before he was executed himself (US Air Force photo: 080112-F-2034C-203)

80 Years Ago—Oct. 7, 1943: Japanese execute all 98 US civilian construction POWs on Wake Island in reprisal for US air raids.

German Gestapo arrests 107 Jews in Gilleleje, Denmark—most of them arrested in a church where they’d found refuge, awaiting transport to Sweden.

First German time bomb explodes in Naples, in the main post office, leading to 70 casualties; more bombs will explode over the next 3 weeks.

Movie premiere of Lassie Come Home, starring Roddy McDowall & Donald Crisp.

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